sampan

[sam-pan]

noun

1. any of various small boats of East Asia, such as one propelled by a single scull over the stern and provided with a roofing of mats.

sampan

/ ˈsæmpæn /

noun

1. any small skiff, widely used in the Orient, that is propelled by oars or a scull

Word History and Origins

Origin of sampan¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Chinese sān bǎn “three-plank (boat)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sampan¹

C17: from Chinese san pan, from san three + pan board

Example Sentences

For the first time, I could picture the legendary tropical city of Malayan sampans, Chinese street hawkers and British colonial languor.

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A short sampan ride takes visitors across an eddy of the Shan Pui River.

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Excursions include visits to the city’s famous floating markets, bike trips and sampan boat tours.

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A boat of American soldiers taking the protagonist, played by Martin Sheen, upriver stops to search a Vietnamese family’s sampan.

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“I just left the baskets on the doorstep and ran. I ran all the way to the river and rented a sampan to take me across. Then I walked from the Bund.”

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